Thirty minutes later, Napoleon's convoy finally arrived at the Comédie-Fran?aise. The streets were packed with excited onlookers, all cheering and waving their hands in delight as the First Consul of France stepped out of his carriage.
Ciela was by his side, and their children, Francis and Aveline, followed closely behind. The crowd's cheers only got louder as they caught sight of the beloved leader with his family.
Besides Napoleon, some notable generals who had fought alongside him in Italy and Egypt also got out of their carriages, joining the First Consul for this grand occasion.
Francis and Aveline were in awe of their father, as they had seen this kind of reception many times before, especially after his return from campaigns in Egypt and Italy.
"Papa is amazing," Aveline whispered, her eyes wide with admiration.
"True," Francis agreed with a nod.
After acknowledging the presence of the enthusiastic crowd, Napoleon and his family turned and walked down the red carpet, with the generals following suit. They made their way inside the Comédie-Fran?aise, a prestigious theater where hundreds of audiences from the upper classes were eagerly waiting to witness the oratorio by Joseph Haydn.
The theater was grand, with elegant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and ornate decorations adorning the walls. They were escorted to the VIP box, a spacious and lavishly decorated section that offered a clear view of the stage. From there, Napoleon observed as the musicians took their positions on the stage, tuning their instruments and preparing for the grand performance of Joseph Haydn's oratorio.
"Wow…so this is what a theater looks like," Aveline exclaimed softly, looking up at the frescoed ceilings and the ornate décor that adorned the VIP box.
Napoleon and Ciela watched as their daughter got awed at the sight. Even Napoleon was in awe too. This was his first time seeing a theater in his whole life, and the first time where he would get to listen to an orchestra perform.
Moments later, a program attendant of the theater entered their box.
"Your Excellency, Madame, this is the book that would serve as your guide for tonight's oratorio," the program attendant said with a respectful nod, presenting a beautifully bound booklet to Napoleon and Ciela.
"Thank you," Napoleon replied graciously, accepting the program booklet from the attendant. He glanced through it quickly, noting the sequence of musical pieces and the names of the performers.
Ciela took the program booklet and looked at it with interest. "It looks like a splendid lineup," she remarked, her eyes scanning the details of the oratorio.
"Really?" Napoleon said, scanning the pages of the book. He didn't know what he was looking at so he pretended he was familiar with it. However, Ciela could easily tell that Napoleon was just trying to save face. She smiled and teasingly nudged him.
"Oh, come on, Napoleon," Ciela said playfully. "You don't need to pretend to know everything about music. It's perfectly alright to admit that this is all new to you."
Napoleon chuckled, caught in his act. "You got me," he confessed with a grin. "I do know what an oratorio means, but as you are aware, I haven't had the chance to experience one before."
"So do I," Ciela chimed in with a chuckle, playfully teasing her husband. She then glanced up to meet the attendant's eyes and asked. "How long would this performance last?"
The program attendant replied with a courteous smile, "The oratorio is expected to last approximately one hour and forty-five minutes, Madame Bonaparte."
"Thank you," Ciela acknowledged with a nod, appreciating the information. She turned to Napoleon.
"One hour and forty-five minutes?" Napoleon repeated. "So we are going to sit here for that long, listening to the music?"
Ciela simply nodded.
Napoleon grumbled inwardly. So this is what the high class does in history huh? They get to listen to music that lasts that long. Well, since this is his first time, he might as well enjoy it and make the most out of it.
As the lights in the theater dimmed further, signaling the start of the performance, the audience settled into their seats with anticipation. Napoleon and Ciela's eyes followed the movement of the person walking on the platform.
"That's Joseph Haydn…" Aveline whispered in awe as she recognized the composer.
As the spotlight focused on Haydn, the audience erupted into polite applause, acknowledging the esteemed composer. He was a well-respected figure in the musical world, and his works were highly regarded.
Haydn stepped up to the conductor's stand and raised his baton, ready to lead the orchestra and chorus through the performance. He took a moment to scan the audience, his eyes eventually landing on the VIP box where Napoleon and his family sat. He offered a small nod of acknowledgment, which Napoleon returned with a respectful nod of his own.
The performance began with a lively overture, setting the tone for the oratorio. The music flowed gracefully, captivating the audience from the very first note. As the orchestra played, Haydn's movements were graceful and precise, guiding the musicians with skillful expertise.
Throughout the oratorio, Napoleon found himself engrossed in the music. He was surprised by the emotional depth and complexity of the piece. The music conveyed a range of feelings, from the creation of the world itself to the wonders of nature and the human spirit. As the oratorio progressed, the music seemed to transport Napoleon to another realm, allowing him to experience the story unfolding through the power of sound.
In the first part of the oratorio, "The Representation of Chaos," the orchestra painted a vivid picture of the formless void before creation, using a mix of dissonance and tension. Napoleon could almost envision the chaos and darkness as the music swirled and clashed, setting the stage for the moment of creation.
Then, as the choir entered with a triumphant chorus, singing "And God said, 'Let there be Light,'" Napoleon felt a surge of awe. The music built up, reaching a crescendo that seemed to illuminate the entire theater, symbolizing the birth of light and life. It was as if he was witnessing the very moment of creation itself.
Throughout the performance, the soloists took turns narrating and singing the different parts of the biblical story. They brought to life the beauty of the earth, the grandeur of the stars, and the creation of all living creatures. Their voices reverberated through the theater.
As the oratorio delved into the creation of Adam and Eve, the music shifted to tender and heartfelt melodies. The duets between the soloists, representing Adam and Eve, were filled with emotion, reflecting the love and companionship that human beings were blessed with.
In the final section, "The Earth is Filled with Joy," the entire ensemble came together in a resplendent chorus, expressing gratitude and praise for the wonders of creation. The music swelled, and Napoleon could feel the jubilation in the air as the performers conveyed the joy of life and the goodness of the world.
As the last notes of the oratorio resonated through the theater, the audience erupted into a thunderous standing ovation. Napoleon joined in the applause, clapping his hand enthusiastically. The performance was so powerful that it moved him. He could understand now why the upper classes and intellectuals were so enamored with the arts and music.
The applause continued, and Joseph Haydn, standing on the conductor's stand, acknowledged the appreciation with a humble bow.
"It's beautiful…! Amazing!" Aveline praised.
Francis too found himself clapping his hand.
***
Ten minutes later, in Napoleon's box, Joseph Haydn arrived. Napoleon, Ciela, and their children rose from their seats to greet the esteemed composer. Haydn's eyes sparkled with delight as he met the First Consul and his family. He was honored to have such esteemed guests in attendance and was touched by the warm reception he had received from the audience.
"Maestro Haydn, your oratorio was truly extraordinary," Napoleon said, extending his hand to the composer. "It was a moving experience, and I must admit, I had never experienced music quite like this before."
Haydn clasped Napoleon's hand warmly, his face beaming with gratitude. "Thank you, Premier First Consul," he replied. "I am humbled by your kind words. It brings me great joy to know that my music has resonated with you."
Ciela and the children joined in expressing their admiration for the performance, showering Haydn with praise for his masterful composition. The composer graciously accepted their compliments, acknowledging the enthusiasm of the entire family.
"It is an honor to have you and your family here tonight, Premier First Consul," Haydn said and continued, "May your family have a beautiful Christmas Eve."
"To you as well," Napoleon said.
After that, Joseph left the box to allow the family to have some private moments together.
"I must say, I expected that I would bore out in the middle," Napoleon admitted with a chuckle, looking at his family. "But it turned out to be quite the opposite. This is a really good time to spend Christmas Eve."
Ciela nodded in agreement. "So, shall we return now?"
"Hmm…let's just settle for a while."
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